Entries by wpfishwade

For anyone thinking about fishing in the Tampa/St Petersburg area, Captain Wade is the man. He’s the real deal. My two sons and I hooked up with Wade and literally from the first cast within 15 minutes of leaving the boat ramp, we were on fish up until the time we left in the afternoon. […]

The mangrove snapper fishing is outstanding right now. Many of the Tampa Bay area rock piles, bridges and artificial reefs are loaded. With a 10-inch minimum and a five fish per person limit, it’s been easy for me to limit out, even when I have four to five anglers on board. While snapper fishing, we’re […]

The key to success with hooking up with a monster Tampa Bay snook is to fish during a strong tidal flow and have the right bait. Grunts, pinfish and large scaled sardines are prime snook baits. It’s also important to present the bait properly. Always cast up tide and let the bait flow back to […]

We have been out with him several times. He arrives at the ramp with the bait well FULL! Wade does not waste the clients time finding bait like many other guides. He is up early and is loaded down with bait and ready to go from the second you step on his boat! His boat […]

First, Tarpon: Tarpon are on the move and for the most part, an early day’s start is preferred. Here are a few of the advantages to being the first on the water. Along the beaches, there will be less boat traffic in the morning and the ability to see the tarpon breaking the surface from […]

Here on the Suncoast, the return of the king mackerel migration definitely marks the beginning of spring. Hordes of ravenous kingfish will be passing through our area for at least another four weeks devouring every baitfish in sight. So, do what I like to do, go slow troll! As I stated last month, you can […]

Even though spring doesn’t officially start until March 20 this year, I’m really looking forward to it. This winter, the fishing was the most inconsistent that I’ve ever experienced. Cold fronts were few and far between and when we did get one, temperatures headed back north of 70 degrees the following day. This inconsistency prevented […]

Lately, my clients have been catching plenty of large sea-trout. Some days, most are at or over the 20-inch maximum slot-size, which is only one out of a four fish per person limit. Sea-trout are mostly hanging out in deeper water. The redfish have remained pretty active, although this time of year it’s not uncommon […]

When water temperatures drop into the low 60’s, fish go deep or to heat. Let me explain what I mean. Cold water slows the metabolism of a fish way down. They move slower, don’t travel long distances or feed as much. What they like to do, is drop off into deeper water for warmth. Residential […]

Cold water slows the metabolism of a fish way down. They move slower and don’t travel long distances. What they like to do, is drop off into deeper water for warmth. Residential canals lined with docks are great areas to target winter fish. Deep-water back bays and coves lined with mangrove and oyster bed shorelines are another. These […]